Keeping in touch
In March the RDN Directors met at Schooner Cove to prepare a new Strategic Plan, and at our May 13 Board meeting we formally adopted this important document that sets our priorities and direction over the next three years. It focuses our decisions and helps ensure effective use of the resources and taxes you provide.
The June issue of RDN Regional Perspectives will provide more details on the Strategic Plan. But it’s worth noting here, that among the key priorities are watershed and drinking water protection and the governance process and communication.
RDN staff are consulting with the municipalities to determine support for a regional function for watershed and drinking water protection. The Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities adopted our resolution supporting the Province’s new groundwater protection legislation and calling on it to provide the resources and initiative to implement its legislative responsibility.
I am on two RDN committees that have met recently - the Regional Waste Advisory Committee and the Climate Change Standing Committee. We’ve made significant progress in increasing our region’s recycling rate but still face some tough challenges with how we will deal with our future solid waste disposal needs. I have noticed that construction is strong in the area with several businesses opening in an attractive new building in the Price Road/Alberni Highway area. The fine tuning of the Area F Zoning Bylaw is continuing. If you are concerned that your property’s zoning doesn’t accurately reflect the use at the time the bylaw was adopted, please contact the RDN Planning Department.
Wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer.
Lou Biggemann, Director,
Electoral Area F
Community Services News
Community says goodbye to District 69 Arena, looks forward to opening of “Oceanside Place”
On April 26, the community bid a fond farewell to the District 69 Arena -Oceanside’s home for hockey, figure skating, and public and special events since 1974.
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| Minor hockey marked the end of an era at the District 69 Arena on April 26 and look forward to playing at Oceanside Place in September. |
The Arena will become a curling facility when “Oceanside Place” opens in mid-September. The Parksville Curling Club will lease and operate the District 69 Arena and will offer mens, ladies, seniors, juniors and mixed curling. For membership information, call the club at 248-0089.
The new arena multiplex named “Oceanside Place” will accommodate District 69’s ice sport requirements and provide an outstanding venue for concerts and trade shows. Construction of the complex is about three weeks behind schedule but the contractor hopes to make up time with good weather over the summer.
New Park Operator for Horne Lake Regional Park
John Bruce of Happy Trails Park Maintenance is the new Park Operator for Horne Lake Regional Park. Bruce will operate the park according to the terms of the new Horne Lake Regional Park Management Plan.
The 260-acre Regional Park features 3 kilometres of lakefront. The picnicking, boating and camping season is already underway. Island Pacific Adventures will be providing outdoor education programs such as orienteering and canoe and water safety.
For more information on Horne Lake Regional Park call 1-800-874-1055 or visit the Recreation and Parks section of the RDN Website.
Minor hockey marked the end of an era at the D69 Arena and looks forward to playing at Oceanside Place.
Purchase of old Errington School rejected
At its May 13, 2003 meeting, the RDN Board voted against completing the purchase of the old Errington School on Grafton Avenue for use as a community facility.
I supported this decision for several reasons. A report from staff showed the costs of operating and maintaining the facility and repairing the building to the condition where it could be used publicly would be high. An independent evaluation of the building confirmed that we would need to spend $60,000 on immediate repairs alone. Other considerations were the absence of demand for space by community groups and the impact of the new facility on other halls in the area. The School District has indicated it will be putting the property and building out for tender.
Long term lease sought for Errington Community Park
Land and Water BC Inc., the agency responsible for the sale and leasing of Crown land, has yet to approve a 30- year lease offer it made to the RDN for a 5-acre parcel of Crown land known locally as the Errington Community Park. The RDN has signed off on the offer and paid the required fees, but offers of Crown land that involve nominal rents are on hold while the Provincial Government reviews this policy.
The Park is located on Errington Road next to the War Memorial Hall. The property has a long history in the community. It is currently used as a Farmer’s Market, ball field and has a trail through the property.
Growth Management Strategy updated
After more than two years of public consultation, technical studies and intergovernmental input the Growth Management Plan Review process has concluded, and it’s expected the RDN Board will consider adoption of the new Regional Growth Strategy on June 10th.
The purpose of the Regional Growth Strategy is to promote communities that are socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable and that make efficient use of services, land, and resources.
Among its highlights, the updated Regional Growth Strategy provides certainty around the amount of development that may occur in rural areas. It also confirms the location of Urban Containment Boundaries and the process for how changes to these boundaries are considered.
Corporate
Services News
West Nile Virus - What you
need to know
It’s expected that the West Nile Virus (WNV) could arrive in BC this summer but there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family against the virus.
The RDN is working with other local governments and agencies to provide information on the WNV. They’ve prepared a brochure that will be available at the RDN Administrative office, RDN Recreation facilities, and on the RDN Website.
WNV is spread by mosquitoes that
have fed on the blood of infected birds,
largely those of the Corvid family,
which locally include crows, ravens,
and jays. The most common way for
people to become infected is by being
bitten by an infected mosquito. Most
people who become infected
experience no symptoms, about 20%
develop flu-like symptoms, and in rare
cases people may show more serious
symptoms.
You can prevent mosquitoes from breeding near your home and protect yourself from mosquito bites by:
Dead birds found on private property should be disposed of safely without touching them. For more information, call the toll free West Nile Virus Information Line at 1-866-968-8442. The following Websites also provide information about the West Nile Virus: http://nile.healthcanada.net (Health Canada) and www.bccdc.org (BC Centre for Disease Control).
